The winning images were taken from locations across the world, the winners representing 13 different nationalities, and were announced in December to coincide with peak northern lights season. Capture the Atlas editor Dan Zafra was on the lookout for pictures, from both renowned talent and new photographers, that portray this breathtaking natural phenomenon in novel and interesting ways.
Top entries exhibited this chromatic spectacle in places ranging from Denmark to New Zealand, from Finland to Greenland to Russia, and even from inside a collapsed Alaskan glacial cave.
Danish photographer Ruslan Merzlyakov’s “Red Skies,” taken in Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, depicts the “absolutely insane red pillars” of the auroras that graced the skies over Limfjord, just a 3-minute drive from his house.
Marybeth Kiczenski’s “Michigan Night Watch” was an opportunistic shot taken from Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort, Michigan, after the photographer made the most of a favorable aurora forecast.
She said, “I was greeted with quite heavy winds but a beautiful sunset and warm weather. It was super busy since it was a Friday, and there were good conditions for auroras. It was fun to make some new friends, and we chatted while waiting for Lady Aurora to make an appearance.”
At about half past eleven, the light show began.
“We cheered. We clapped. This is what makes all of it worth it!” Kiczenski said. “Afterward, we packed up and drove the three hours back to Martin, Michigan, to start work for the day. Ah, the life of an aurora chaser!”
David Erichsen’s “Chasing the Light” was the realization of a childhood dream. Taken from Castner Glacier, Alaska, Erichsen’s surreal shot captures an aurora seen from inside a glacial cave and was the product of a two-hour midnight hike in below-freezing temperatures under storm-cleared skies.
“As I made my way out to the cave, my walk quickly became a full-on run as I saw the sky split open with magnificent color,” Erichsen said. “Sadly, the ice cave collapsed on itself a couple months ago, which just shows that you have to chase every opportunity before it’s gone.”
What’s not pictured, he said, are the several nights he wandered out to the cave in sub-freezing temperatures waiting for “just a hint of green to dance through this frozen window,” but struck out.
Other winning photos portray the majesty of the northern lights against vast starry expanses and a plethora of natural landscapes. It’s hard to choose a favorite.
Zafra is already welcoming participants to join in next year’s competition. The best time to see the lights is between September and April in the Northern Hemisphere, or between March and September in the Southern Hemisphere. Owing to the tilt of the Earth’s axis, the best time to take photos coincides with the fall and spring equinoxes.
